Hailey’s birthday party isn’t until next weekend, but we couldn’t make her wait a whole week before celebrating her birthday.

On the morning of her birthday she got to open a few presents before church.

We went to Chuck E Cheese for lunch to celebrate.

Chuck E Cheese and Hailey

Chuck E Cheese brought a cake right to our table for Hailey and we all sang to her.

Chuck E Cheese and Hailey

Hunter was excited to see Chuck E Cheese too.

Later on Hailey opened some more presents.

I brought cupcakes to Hailey’s class so we could celebrate her birthday there.  Notice a little frosting on her mouth

Happy Birthday up on the smart board for Hailey.

During Hailey’s classroom party there were 2 fire drills.  Guess that’s something to make sure we never forget that celebration

Hailey with her birthday bag full of treats from her teacher.

This weekend we will celebrate again when we have her friend party on Saturday afternoon and her family party on Saturday evening.  She’s definitely a special little girl and we love celebrating her!!

Where have the last six years gone?  I don’t know, but they sure went by fast.  It’s strange though- on one hand this last year seems to have gone by even faster than the other years, but on the other hand it feels like so long ago that you turned five.

You really grew up in the last year.  People have been commenting a lot lately that you suddenly look like you’re older.  It’s true too, you are just so grown up all of a sudden.  You are a first grader now and that just seems so much more mature than a kindergartener.  You have become very independent and can do so much on your own.  I know that’s how it’s supposed to be, but sometimes I miss you needing my help all the time.

You had a fantastic year in kindergarten  We were so proud of how hard you worked.  You learned to read, and once you figured it out you couldn’t get enough.  You just love to read and read!  Your teacher told us what a great reader you were and that you were reading at a first grade level.  When kindergarten came to an end you were sad- you didn’t think you’d like summer vacation very much.  At first we had to spend summer vacation doing school work because you missed school so much.  You did get over that and decided you actually liked summer vacation after a couple of weeks.

You’re in first grade now and you still love school.  You were very nervous about going back to school.  You didn’t think there was any way your new teacher could be as nice as your kindergarten teacher and you decided you’d be better off going back to kindergarten.  Thankfully I convinced you to give first grade a try, and you love your teacher.  You’re doing great so far in first grade and you are such a hard worker.

I think the biggest event in the last year for you was becoming a big sister.  You are an absolutely amazing big sister.  Hunter lights up whenever he sees you and you are so good with him.  When you hear him cry you always try to help make him happy.  You give him tons of hugs and kisses.  You play with him, entertain him, and love him so much.  Being a big sister has not been without challenges.  Sometimes you tell us that Hunter gets more attention than you or that you feel left out.  We try to make sure you know how special you are and how much we love you.  I know that being a big sister can be hard but you are most definitely the best big sister ever!

You are still a girly girl.  Your favorite things to play with are Barbie dolls and princesses.  I love to listen to you in your room playing with your dolls.  Your imagination is amazing and entertaining.  You love pink and purple and dressing in skirts and dresses.  You love coloring and drawing.  Sometimes you spend hours in your room coloring pictures.

You still light up my world.  I can’t imagine a life without having my little miss.  I love watching you grow and learn and turn into a young lady.  You are my world and I’ll love you more than you will ever know.

I love you Little Miss!!  Happy 6th Birthday!

Mommy

I asked Hailey these questions when she turned 3, when she turned 4 and when she turned 5. It’s so fun to see her answers change from year to year.

1. What is something mommy always says to you? I love you

2. What makes mommy happy? Hugs and kisses

3. What makes mommy sad? When Hunter screams

4. How does your mommy make you laugh? Tickling me

5. What was your mommy like as a child? I have no idea.  Funny

6. How old is your mommy? 30

7. How tall is your mommy? 25 inches

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Snuggle

9. What does mommy do when you’re not around? Have fun with her friends

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? Singing

11. What is your mommy really good at? Snuggling

12. What is your mom not very good at? Nothing

13. What does your mommy do for her job? She doesn’t have a job.

14. What is your mommy’s favorite food? Broccoli

15. What makes you proud of your mommy? I like her food

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be? Ariel

17. What do you and your mommy do together? Projects and snuggle

18. How are you and your mommy the same? We both have short hair.

19. How are you and your mommy different? She’s a mom and I’m a kid.

20. How do you know your mommy loves you? She says it.

21. Where is your mommy’s favorite place to go? Home

Some favorites:

Favorite color: Pink, purple and red
Favorite animal: Zebra
Favorite food: Grilled cheese
Favorite game: Hide and go seek
Favorite toy: My Barbie townhouse
Favorite song: Twinkle, Twinkle
Favorite drink: Chocolate milk
Favorite movie: Brave
Favorite snack: Ice cream

Lastly: What do you want to be when you grow up? An artist

Just some pictures from September

Hailey played soccer:

She hated it!  She cried and whined and begged and pleaded to quit.  I couldn’t take it anymore, so after 2 weeks I let her quit.  She agreed to do something else in place of soccer, so she is going to try gymnastics this week and see if she likes that better.

Hunter seemed to enjoy watching soccer

Hunter’s favorite place to play- he puts his hand in Dottie’s water and says, “Nah, nah, nah.”  I’m pretty sure that is his way of saying. “No, no, no.”  (He also says “nah, nah, nah” when he goes for the outlets.)

I hope he’s planning to cook something yummy.

When I started the dishwasher the other day, Hunter went over and put his hand on and it was feeling it.  Then he got down on the floor and put his head down so he could get a look underneath it.  It was so cute, he was trying to figure it out.

I was playing in the living room with Hunter and I left to go get a quick drink from the kitchen and I heard the piano.  I walked back in to see this.

He was pretty proud of himself.

I sure do love these two!!